January 3, 2011

"Ultimate death stare": New RAF helmet allows pilots to shoot down enemy jets by looking at them

In what amounts to the ultimate death stare, a new helmet allows the Pilot to glance at an aircraft he wants to fire a missile at then steer the missile with his, or her, mind. As long as the enemy's aircraft is in sight, a missile can be directed towards it.

It looks no more high-tech than any other fighter pilot helmet.
But this 250,000 (British pounds) headset allows RAF pilots to shoot down planes simply by looking at them.

The 'Striker' Integrated Display Helmet marks one of the biggest leaps forward in attack capabilities in military history.

All a pilot has to do is glance at an enemy aircraft and then steer a missile towards it with his, or her, mind.

Targets pop-up in the pilot's visor, at which point he can select by voice command and fire.

As long as the enemy's aircraft is in sight - whether that be below, above or to either side - a missile can be directed towards it.

The breakthrough brings to an end the century-old concept of the aerial dogfight, in which one plane must be directly behind another in order to hit it with firepower.
The innovative two-part helmet design has been co-developed with aircrew and logistic support engineering participation.

It works by using tiny optical sensors in the Striker helmet, which are then picked up by further sensors in the cockpit.

\"Ultimate death stare\": New RAF helmet allows pilots to shoot down enemy jets by looking at them

In what amounts to the ultimate death stare, a new helmet allows the Pilot to glance at an aircraft he wants to fire a missile at then steer the missile with his, or her, mind. As long as the enemy's aircraft is in sight, a missile can be directed towards it.\n\n\n\nFrom the Daily Mail:\n

It looks no more high-tech than any other fighter pilot helmet.\nBut this 250,000 (British pounds) headset allows RAF pilots to shoot down planes simply by looking at them.\n\nThe 'Striker' Integrated Display Helmet marks one of the biggest leaps forward in attack capabilities in military history.\n\nAll a pilot has to do is glance at an enemy aircraft and then steer a missile towards it with his, or her, mind.\n\nTargets pop-up in the pilot's visor, at which point he can select by voice command and fire.\n\nAs long as the enemy's aircraft is in sight - whether that be below, above or to either side - a missile can be directed towards it.\n\nThe breakthrough brings to an end the century-old concept of the aerial dogfight, in which one plane must be directly behind another in order to hit it with firepower.\nThe innovative two-part helmet design has been co-developed with aircrew and logistic support engineering participation.\n\nIt works by using tiny optical sensors in the Striker helmet, which are then picked up by further sensors in the cockpit.